Heat's Big Three all about business

STAYING FOCUSED

With the new feel gone, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh ready to get down to business

October 23, 2010|By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel

MIAMI — The way they were introduced caused the level of hate to multiply.

As if there wasn't enough reason to dislike the Miami Heat, the WWE-like entrance of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in July only made loathing them easier. The smoke, highlight videos, fireworks and light shows at AmericanAirlines Arena were for the television cameras, but the public was absent for the real intros.

When the players met weeks later, it was much more subdued.

"When LeBron walked in, he introduced himself as LJ like nobody knew who he was," guard Mario Chalmers said. "It was real low key. Me and a couple of guys were making fun of him."

This is all that matters to the Heat's new trio. All the outside stuff is just for show, for newspapers, blogs and highlight shows. Behind the scenes, the sideshow ends. No more, step right up and see the rare team with three superstars in the prime of their careers.

After overhauling the roster, they are just a normal basketball team trying to form chemistry in time for Tuesday's season opener against the Boston Celtics.

"The anticipation is almost over," Bosh said. "I think we're just ready to get after it as a team and see what this season's going to be."

They are past all the hype surrounding the Heat, whether it's critics whining of how the team was assembled or questioning if three All-Stars can play together. All that stuff wore off after the first two-a-day practice, and the only reminder is the constant media attention.

Nearly 200 media members attended the first day of training camp. The interview room was packed for the first morning shootaround of the preseason. As Wade walked to the podium, he asked, "Is this the playoffs?"

"That's been the most overwhelming thing," said Bosh, who played in near anonymity with the Toronto Raptors. "I like to watch ESPN and Fox Sports and all those things. Sometimes, they talk about us a lot. It's kind of different, especially before games. We may be the topic on "PTI" and it's an hour before game time. That never happened [in Toronto]. I've always been watching other guys."

The Big Three are trying to keep this ride entertaining despite all the expectations and spotlight. Thus far, they have handled the media crush with ease, often joking during interviews. For James, this is especially important. He recently said when basketball is no longer fun, it's time to move on.

With the amount of talent on the team, James should have no problem finding down time. He no longer has to burden the load of being the best passer, shooter and defender as he did the past seven years in Cleveland.

He's played an average of 40.3 minutes a game throughout his career, but expects somewhat of a breather.

"I probably won't have to ever play 40-plus minutes throughout the season," James said. "That'll be great for my body. Same with D-Wade. He won't have to play 40-plus minutes like he's accustomed to doing."

That is, when Wade regains his health. The trio has only played 3 minutes, 17 seconds together. Wade suffered a strained hamstring in the first quarter of the preseason opener against Detroit. He missed the final seven games, slowing the chemistry process. James also missed a game because of sore hamstring.

The Heat are banking on the strong friendship between Wade, James and Bosh and a long regular season to combat those concerns. By the All-Star break in February, they expect to be rolling.

"With all things considered, with Dwyane being out and with LeBron missing a game, we're pretty much where we want to be," forward Udonis Haslem said. "Could we be better? Yes. But we've got to continue to keep it all in perspective. We're still learning each other, and it's still going to be a process.

"Even the first game of the season, we're still going to have room to grow. We're not going to be where we want to be. I don't think nobody is where they want to be Game 1 of the season."